Author's notes: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, I really appreciate your support for this challenging project. I'm working on longer chapters, so the updates will be a little further apart than normal, let me know what you think? I hope you enjoy this one.
She takes Austin off her husband.
"Daddy's not very well remember. Let him get into the house and sit down."
He nods her thanks and follows everyone towards the house. He takes it slow, looking carefully at the place that's his home, hoping that something will stir but there's nothing. It's a nice house though. They look after the garden, he wonders is it him? Or do they do it together. He's pleased to see the paintwork's clean and obviously recently painted, he doesn't like to see houses neglected. The colours a strange choice, he loved the whiteness of his home in Malibu. He loved the way it shined in the sunlight, he can't believe he agreed to a green trim. He grudgingly admits it doesn't look too bad, just not his taste.
He's brought out of his musing by her voice.
"Are you all right Patrick?"
Everyone's in the doorway looking at him.
"I'm fine. Just trying to remember."
A flicker of hope crosses her face.
"Do you need more time?"
He feels a twinge of regret that he's going to disappoint her, but there's nothing to be gained by lying to her. He shakes his head.
"No, nothing's familiar."
Her shoulder's slump a fraction, that he's sure only he caught, as she puts on a brave face.
"That's okay, it'll take time."
He sits down on the couch grudgingly recognizes that he's already feeling tired. His wife is in the kitchen making him a cup of tea, she took Maddy in with her, Austin is running towards him with a book. He recognises it as one he read as a child. He must have sought it out himself, it couldn't be a coincidence – there's no such thing. He only remembers two books as a child and this one was in pieces by the time he out grew it. He remembers the pang of regret he felt when he put it in the trash even though he hadn't read it for years.
He smiles at Austin, how can he not, his enthusiasm in endearing.
"Can we read this Daddy?"
He nods and lifts him up on to his lap. The boy snuggles in to him causing a pain so deep he almost cries out. Charlotte! The pain of losing her still raw. Apparently it's been many years, but for him it was only two weeks ago. His lovely Angela too. Austin interrupts his thoughts as he tires of waiting.
"C'mon Daddy."
He looks down at this child that's his. His innocent eyes staring up at him filled with concern. He smiles at him and starts to read.
He's aware that his wife has entered with his tea, she's standing in the doorway, he can feel the emotions coming off her. When he's finished reading she walks towards him, talking to Austin.
"Let Daddy have his drink now."
"All right mommy."
Austin slides off his lap. He turns to take the book off him. His wife speaks softly.
"He has to give you a kiss to get the book, it's a game you play with him."
He nods his thanks and leans forward and Austin climbs back up and kisses him on the cheek. He puts his arms around his neck and whispers in his ear
"I'm glad you're home Daddy."
He doesn't know what else to do but whisper back.
"So am I."
Austin lets go and jumps down, he takes the book and settles in a chair and opens it to read to himself. His wife hands him his tea and sits down beside him with a can of coke in her hand.
"Maddy's asleep. How are you doing?"
"I feel tired."
She nods her head.
"The doctor said that you would tire easily as you're still recovering and then the added strain of your amnesia. Feel free to sleep, this is your home. I've made the bed up in the spare room and put some of your clothes in the closet. I thought you might feel more comfortable in there."
He looks gratefully at her.
"Thank you but won't the children think it's strange that we're not sleeping together?"
"I already explained to Austin that it's necessary until you're feeling better – Doctor's orders. That was enough."
He looks at his wife, the pain she's experiencing evident in her eyes.
"I'm sorry about all this. I..I..I wish I could remember."
He sees tears prick her eyes, she blinks to hold them back. Instinctively she places her hand on his thigh and then quickly moves it.
"You've nothing to be sorry for. It's not your fault. You're alive and you're here. We'll get through this other stuff somehow."
"Teresa?"
It sounds strange on his lips. It's the first time he's said it and it startles her.
"Yes"
He holds up his cup.
"It seems I taught you how to make a good cup of tea, this is outstanding."
"You refused to set a date until I'd mastered the skill."
"And yet you married me anyway."
"Yes everyone thought I was nuts."
They smile at each other.
"I'm glad you're home too Patrick. You can sleep in your room or lay down on the couch"
She gets up and turns to Austin.
"Let's get you some lunch."
He decides to sleep in his room. He swallows down his tea and takes his cup in to the kitchen. His wife's nowhere to be seen but Austin's sat at the table with a sandwich and slices of apple on his plate. He looks up as Patrick enters.
"Do you want some Daddy?"
"No thank you, Daddy's tired, I'm going to lie down."
"Because you hurt your head and been in the hospital?"
He nods.
"Yes that's right."
"Sleep tight Daddy."
"Thank you."
He runs the cup under some water and places it in the sink. His wife hasn't appeared.
"Where's mommy."
"She doing laundry."
"Okay tell her I went to bed."
"Do you want some lunch first?"
He turns around to where her voice is coming from.
"I'm too tired to eat, when I wake up."
"Okay. Your room is the third door on the left."
"Thanks."
He opens the door to his room. It's bright and airy in blues and yellows. There's king size bed up in the middle of the wall opposite to where he stands. There are bedside tables either side, plush drawers in a matching light pine. The drawers are on the wall to his left and next to them is a built in closet. He moves towards it and opens the doors.
He looks at the clothes hanging and there's nothing that reminds him of himself. No crisp white shirts and expensive suits, not even any ties. The shirts are more casual, softer, mainly white with prints on them. His suits are cut differently and though still of a good make, not the top of the line like he usually wears. They have a slightly rumpled look to them. He smiles to himself when he sees that he still has his initials put on his shirts, he fingers the familiarity. On the right of the bed is an easy chair, it looks comfy. He sits down in it and looks around the room. He closes his eyes and breathes in deeply. As he breathes out, tears form under his lashes, his heart solidifies with grief, his girls are gone.
During lunch Austin's eyes start to droop. The excitement of having his Daddy home had caused him to wake up early that morning and to expand a lot of energy. Teresa picks him up, he lays his head against her shoulder, she can feel his breath on her neck. As she starts down the hall he turns his head so that he's speaking in her ear.
"Can I sleep with Daddy?"
"Not today honey, maybe later."
He seems to accept this and she continues to his room and juggles with him and pulling the cover back. She lays him gently on the bed and pulls the cover up over him. She bends to give him a kiss.
"Daddy's different."
Dread fills her as she stops and looks at her son. He not only has his father's devastating smile but also shows signs of his great perceptiveness so she isn't surprised that Austin hasn't been fooled.
"Why do you say that?"
"His eyes are different."
"In what way."
Her son shrugs unable to articulate what he instinctively sees.
"I don't know, they just are."
She sits down beside him and strokes his hair.
"He's going through a hard time right now because of his injury, he might be different for a while, so we need to show him how much we love him, even when he's different.
Austin opens his arms as wide as he can stretch them.
"I love him this much."
Teresa smiles at him.
"I know you do and mommy does too. Now you have a good nap."
She gives him a kiss and strokes his cheek until he's asleep. She closes the door quietly behind her.